After impressing while on trial in 1921, Alec Mackie made an instant impression when it came to agreeing terms with Arsenal.
Rather than ask for a signing-on fee, the Irishman sought to fulfil a lifelong ambition by requesting a pet monkey instead. Luckily, the Club were able to comply with this demand and the Irishman signed on.
Mackie made his Gunners debut in 1922 and soon became a regular in the side over the next two seasons, before a serious injury ruled him out of most of the 1924/25 campaign.
He returned the next season to make 35 appearances but was eventually replaced by future Arsenal captain Tom Parker. Mackie spent much of the following two years in the reserves, before moving on to Portsmouth.
Alec Mackie
